[Sonido]

I am sure it had cost prohibits. Just look at the dac inside. They put all the money on the amp.
And I am not saying it's the best. But I am also saying there is no better just different and what I like compared to you.

Now if I add a AP1/PP at about 1400. Or so the dac is much better. So yes that Amp is way better. But to get back to the topic. We always want better than what a company has spent years in making LOL.

Al

So HDVD800 DAC + AP1/PP is better than any DAC under $2000? Otherwise just get HDVA600 and $2000 DAC.

 

[ALRAINBOW]

I look at it this way. Even the 2000 dac needs a AP1/PP to sound it's best. And the DAC in the HDVD800 is pretty good with it .

So it's a win win.

Al

 

[Sonido]

I look at it this way. Even the 2000 dac needs a AP1/PP to sound it's best. And the DAC in the HDVD800 is pretty good with it .

So it's a win win.

Al

Given now that I have a very transparent amp in the Questyle, and I can easily hear the difference between between my DC-1 vs my Modi, the AP1/PP almost tempts me if it really is as you say it. Also, the USB on the DC-1 doesn't play well at USB 2.0 mode for me. It clicks pretty often when playing music, probably due to drivers or my laptop. This forces me to use it in USB 1.1 and could be detrimental to sound quality. It definitely caps at 96 kHz instead of 192.

 

[ALRAINBOW]

Well you need to fix that first. It sounds like a buffer issue . Go into control panel and ,look for USB and properties . Increase buffer. Also priority for audio. .
I am not expert but there is no point in buying something that most likely not help in your case.

Al

 

[Speedy Pedro]

Another great advantage of the HDVd amps is that they were designed by the same engineer at Sennheiser who designed and voiced the HD800. I'm sure there are other very good amps out there that would play nice with the hd800, but with these amps all the guess work is done.

I thought so as well. But after trying the HDVA 600 with the HD 800 repeatedly I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that Sennheiser should have done a better job with the amp. Much preferred the Auralic Taurus v. 2 in head to head.

 

[ALRAINBOW]

And that is fine. As we all have out own likes . Even the engineer had his LOL.

Al

 

[macbob713]

I thought so as well. But after trying the HDVA 600 with the HD 800 repeatedly I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that Sennheiser should have done a better job with the amp. Much preferred the Auralic Taurus v. 2 in head to head.

I've read nothing but great things about the Auralic, never heard one though. Tyll at Innerfidelity has been using one for about a year. I think I was posing this with amps in a certain price range for buying options. I had the HDVD800 and enjoyed it, but ultimately returned it. Ended up at this time with the Lehmann Linear SE, which sounds better to me with the HD800 than the HDVD800.

 

[62ohm]

What about the HDVA600 / HDVD800 vs Bryston BHA-1? Has anyone heard both with HD800?
 
edit: The HDVA600 actually costs $200 NZD less than the BHA-1 in New Zealand..

 

[PleasantSounds]

I have a theory on that too. Why are we lead to beleave that anyway. Was the ledgendary HE90 paired with the HEV90 bad. ?
So with that in mind a company like sennheiser who has more testing experience then anyone in the world with headphones and mics fail so miserable .
The answer is they dident we failed to really know just what the gear is to sound like. . We are made to beleave it needs colorations that other amps give it.
I own the HE60 HEV 60 combo. It has a beefed up PSU . The amp is as good as my 6k woo Wes and my BHSE . In fact the only reason i do not use it is it does not play all my music loud enough for my desires. It sis clear and detailed in a way that best suites the headphones . Now this is all conjecture as it is my opinion.

Al

 
I don't think we failed anything here. At this level technical capabilities are considered granted, and the matter is largely of preferences. Don't forget that the majority here buys this equipment to enjoy music,
No Sennheiser engineer can dictate what I should like, even if he's the very guy who designed the headphones I prefer. 

 

[Sonido]

I've owned the Mjolinor, HDVD800, and now the Lehmann Linear SE. To my ear, the hdvd800 was the perfect and best match. However I returned it when It didn't sound good on the AKG K712pro I was also using at the time. For an amp just for the hd800, the Sennheiser is hard to beat. If your looking to run multiple cans, I preferred the Lehman. If you already have a DAC, you can save hundreds of dollars by opting for the HDVD600.

 
Quote:

I've read nothing but great things about the Auralic, never heard one though. Tyll at Innerfidelity has been using one for about a year. I think I was posing this with amps in a certain price range for buying options. I had the HDVD800 and enjoyed it, but ultimately returned it. Ended up at this time with the Lehmann Linear SE, which sounds better to me with the HD800 than the HDVD800.

 
So which is it? Or has your decision changed this past couple of hours after more careful listening to Lehmann and HD800?

 

[macbob713]

So which is it? Or has your decision changed this past couple of hours?

Good Question. I keep pondering this. It's been several months since I heard the HDVD800. When I first returned it, I did enjoy it with the hd800. I've been listening to the hd800 as well as the K812 on the Lehmann every night over the past week. I did send the Senn amp back because of compatibility issues with the K712.
However, I still believe the Lehmann would be my preference. Both sets of cans work with this amp. The HD800 synergizes so well with it, it's given me a new appreciation of just how good it can be.
Sorry for the muddled thinking on the other post.

 

[skeptic]

The Dynahi, though, is basically unnecessary for headphones.

Not sure what you mean by unnecessary. All of us in this thread blew past that marker miles ago! If you read the comparison threads - google "dynahi vs", those who have built and owned both amps universally seem to prefer the dynahi, irrespective of the headphones used. Shahrose used to post about it constantly here as well.

Problem is that it is a difficult build requiring custom off board heat sinks. Thus, no commercial builders. Certain components were also discontinued, but I understand there are now substitutes that work with the revamped boards. I'm sitting on all the hard to source parts for the older version but feel like I need a couple more real projects under my belt before giving this monster a go - starting with the wire, which at least one mot reportedly prefers to a dynahi (although I tend to doubt I will be in that camp).

 

[SoupRKnowva]

The Dynahi, though, is basically unnecessary for headphones.

 




But...SuSy!!!

 

[roguegeek]

I've read nothing but great things about the Auralic, never heard one though. Tyll at Innerfidelity has been using one for about a year.

Adding it to the list...

1. Questyle CMA800R: $1499, ss, single-ended (2), balanced, RCA preamp
2. AURALiC Taurus MKII: $1899, ss, single-ended, balanced, RCA+balanced preamp
3. Lehmannaudio Linear SE: ss, single-ended (2), RCA preamp
4. Senn HDVA 600: $1499, ss, single-ended (2), balanced (2), balanced preamp?
5. Bryston BHA-1: $1395, ss, single-ended, balanced (2), balanced preamp?
6. Luxman P-1u: ss, single-ended (2), RCA preamp
7. Schiit Ragnarok: $1499, ss, single-ended, balanced, RCA preamp, balanced preamp?

 

[Sorrodje]

DNA Sonett 2 ordered ... The few next weeks will be very very long...

 
My MG Head is up for sale. Really good amp for the HD800 if anyone is interested.